In this very fine episode of Social Media Unscrambled Chris and David discussed myriad topics about social media and how it can grow your business.

Yeah right.

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OK, so, MOST importantly, David and Chris are giving back to you! Yes we want to have some fun helping you – if you sign up at www.socialmediaunscrambled.com/givingback we will promote your business on Twitter, and another secret marketing channel as well ; ) …So sign up!

We kicked off this episode by discussing current events in our lives. David recently saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens and was not impressed. Neither was Chris, and although the movie is clearly well made, we both felt it repeated the previous movies too closely.

Chris just landed a new client, Dr. Dan Peters, who will be launching a podcast show to support his Parent Footprint platform. He got a rousing round of applause from the #UnscrambledArmy – even if it was a bit delayed applause 😉

David kicked off today’s stories talking about how honest is the best policy on social media, and brutal honesty can do amazing things. On a previous SMUN episode (79 to be exact) David talked about how he got fired from a client. He then shared this as the headline of his weekly news round-up and got the most amount of clicks on that particular item. Chris asked when a person should be brutally honest about their experience, and David’s response is: Whenever a mistake is made and you learn something from it, share that experience. Microsoft once hired Robert Scoble to be an evangelist but was allowed to be critical of the firm. So honesty is the best policy on social media, and brutal honesty can be fantastic.

Chris shared his frustration with attempts to promote his business colleagues and acquaintances on Twitter only to find out that they are not on Twitter! Why, Chris asks, would anyone not want to be on Twitter these days? It is among the most powerful information (not just social) network. David then reminded everyone that they do not need to be on Twitter or any other social media. They also don’t need a phone. All they need is food, water, shelter and clothing. That’s all. So you can certainly skip using social media, but those people are missing potentially amazing opportunities.

David then mentioned his colleague Rachel Durkan who posted on LinkedIn about the top-rated social media apps of 2015. The list included:

Facebook Messenger

Timehop

Periscope

Pinterest

Instagram

What’s App

Snapchat

Based on this list Chris discussed how he found SnapChat to be completely baffling and didn’t understand its impact or usage. David wondered if people actually used their fingers to draw on snaps, leading Chris to nearly choke on himself. Also, neither David nor Chris had used Timehop, which allows users to look back at their social media content from that day in the past.

Chris then talked about the second season of the Serial podcast, a highly-produced and very popular series in which an investigative reporter examines various criminal cases. In Series 1 the show was looking into a case where a teenager was probably wrongfully convicted of murder. In the second season, which started a few weeks ago, the show is reviewing the puzzling story of Bowe Bergdahl, including his 5 years of captivity with the Taliban and his recent court marshall. Chris believes this season, although very good, isn’t as compelling as the first season, a view critics share as well. This turned into an extended riff on how sequels are almost always inferior to the original, especially when it comes to movies.

David shared an article from Mashable where a taco shop in Las Vegas used security footage of someone breaking into their restaurant as a commercial for their place. It went viral and ended up being a brilliant marketing move. The lesson? This social media marketing stuff is only as limited as your imagination. In this case, the idea was brilliant.

Chris shared his thoughts on those times when you have a ton of time to participate on social media but you just don’t want to. First of all, if you don’t feel like doing it, then don’t try to force it. People can tell when you are trying too hard. Second, if you don’t feel like “speaking,” maybe you can use that time to listen instead. You can get great value from social listening, not just speaking.

Finally, our letter for the Social Media Therapists:

Dear Cathartic Chris and Dr. David:

I have been told I have Oppositional Defiant Disorder on my social media posts. It’s not true! It’s not true at all! And if you agree with me, then you will be wrong, and then I do have the disorder!

What should I do? Or not do?

Sincerely,It’s Not My Fault!

Clearly this relates to their mother.

ALL THE BEST in 2016, and we’ll be with you soon! #UnscrambledArmy

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And Thanks again to our sponsor, TribeBoost! (helping you grow your Twitter audience….*14 day FREE Trial Offer… and be sure to use Coupon Code “unscrambled” for 15% OFF the first month when you sign up 😉